Daily Current Affairs 4 April 2026: Key Highlights, Mains Angle & Prelims Quiz

Daily Current Affairs 4 April 2026 highlights significant developments across various sectors, from international relations and defense to education, art, and space technology. Key topics include India’s strategic collaborations, advancements in indigenous defense, initiatives to reform education and foster innovation, and notable achievements in the art world. 

Find here complete UPSC Daily Current Affairs 4 April 2026 for Prelims and Mains.

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India–Russia Cooperation on LNG, Oil & Fertilizers

India is currently addressing supply shortages in LNG, oil, and fertilizers, exacerbated by ongoing global conflicts. A meeting in New Delhi between the Indian Prime Minister and Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Denis Manturov, focused on ensuring a stable supply of fertilizers to India. Russia also expressed its readiness to supply more oil and LNG. 

Plans are underway for a joint project dedicated to urea production. These discussions are pivotal, especially with upcoming events like the BRICS Summit in India and the India-Russia Annual Summit in Russia, showcasing both nations’ concerted efforts toward collaboration during these challenging times.

UPSC Focus:

• GS Paper II (International Relations): India–Russia strategic partnership
• GS Paper III: Energy security & fertilizer supply chain
• Link with BRICS and the multipolar world order

Yashoda and Krishna Painting by Raja Ravi Varma

The Yashoda and Krishna Painting by Raja Ravi Varma recently achieved a record price for an Indian painting, selling for 167 crore. This surpassed the previous record held by M.F. Husain’s Grama Yathra, which sold for 118 crore.

About Raja Ravi Varma

• A 19th-century Indian painter hailing from Kerala.
• Widely regarded as the pioneer of modern Indian art.
• Key Style: Varma uniquely combined Hindu mythological subjects (such as tales from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas) with European Realism.
  • European Realism is distinct for its use of oil painting, shading, and perspective.
  • Impact of Blend: His distinctive approach enabled him to portray gods and goddesses with a remarkable human-like quality, adding vibrancy and fine detail to his artworks.
• Famous Paintings: Notable works include Shakuntala, Damayanti, and Lady with Fruit.
• Innovation: Varma established a printing press to produce his paintings on a mass level, effectively making art accessible to common people and thereby democratizing religious images.
• Title: He was awarded the prestigious title “Raja” by the Princely State of Travancore.

About the “Yashoda and Krishna” Painting

• This particular painting beautifully depicts the profound love between mother Yashoda and child Krishna, capturing a moment where Krishna asks for milk.
• It stands as a prime example of Varma’s masterful blend of Indian mythological subjects with European Realism.

UPSC Focus:

• GS Paper I (Art & Culture): Contribution of Raja Ravi Varma
• UPSC Prelims: Famous Indian Paintings

NCERT as Deemed University

The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been officially declared a Deemed University by the Ministry of Education.

Definition of Deemed University

• A Deemed University is an institution of higher education empowered to offer its own courses.
• This status is granted by the Ministry of Education upon the recommendation of the UGC (University Grants Commission), as per Section 3 of the UGC Act 1956.
• This new status will extend to NCERT headquarters and its six regional institutions, provided they fulfill specific conditions.

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Rationale and Benefits of the Declaration

• Enhance Teacher Education Quality: The move aims to significantly improve the standards of teacher training across the country.
• Alignment with NEP 2020: It strongly supports the focus of the National Education Policy 2020 on developing and implementing four-year integrated B.Ed. programs.
• Direct Course Offerings: NCERT can now directly offer a range of courses and programs, including B.Ed., M.Ed., and PhD programs, with a particular emphasis on four-year integrated B.Ed. programs.
• Promote Research: The declaration strengthens NCERT’s critical role as a research institution, expanding beyond its traditional focus on curriculum and textbook development.
• Improved Learning Outcomes: Efforts will be concentrated on enhancing educational delivery and overall student learning outcomes.
• Education Technology Advancement: NCERT will contribute to better educational technology applications in India.
• International Collaboration: The new status will facilitate collaboration with foreign universities, opening avenues for global partnerships.
• Participation in Rankings: NCERT programs will now be eligible for inclusion in national rankings, such as the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework).
• Academic Bank of Credit: The principles of the Academic Bank of Credit will be applicable to NCERT’s newly introduced programs.

Conditions for NCERT as Deemed University

• NCERT is strictly prohibited from engaging in any commercial or profit-making activities.
• Any new programs launched by NCERT must strictly adhere to the UGC norms and guidelines.

UPSC Focus:

• GS Paper II (Education): Institutional reforms under NEP 2020

Antriksh Venture Capital Fund

The Antriksh Venture Capital Fund has been established to provide crucial support to India’s burgeoning space sector.

• Classification: It is designated as a Category II AIF.
• Purpose: The fund is designed to provide essential funding to SpaceTech startups within India, thereby actively promoting the growth and development of the space sector.
• Launch: The fund is scheduled to commence operations in 2027.
• Corpus: It boasts a substantial corpus of ₹1000 crore.
• Key Facilitator: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) will play a significant role in guiding and supporting the fund’s objectives.
• Management: The fund will be expertly managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited.
• Benefits: This initiative aims to increase private sector participation in space, foster innovation, and ultimately enhance India’s overall performance in the space sector.
• Investment Criteria: Investments will be directed towards startups that have achieved a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 and above, indicating a stage of partial implementation beyond just a conceptual idea.

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About IN-SPACe

• An agency operating under the Department of Space, Government of India.
• Its primary role is to grant permission for private company activities within the space sector.
• IN-SPACe facilitates private startups in utilizing ISRO assets and provides comprehensive support for launch services or other operational requirements.

UPSC Focus:

• GS Paper III: Space sector reforms & private participation

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Health Innovation Acceleration Hackathon

A Health Innovation Acceleration Hackathon was recently organized with the specific aim of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve healthcare regulatory workflows.

Details of the Health Innovation Acceleration Hackathon

• Organizers: The hackathon was a joint effort between India AI (operating under the Digital India Corporation) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
• Objective: The primary goal was to utilize AI to simplify regulatory workflows and enhance efficiency within the healthcare sector.
• Structure: The event was conducted in two distinct stages:
  1. Participants initially developed various AI tools.
  2. Shortlisted teams then applied these tools to CDSCO datasets to accelerate processing times.
• Expected Outcomes: The hackathon aimed for increased automation, enhanced data privacy protocols, and significantly faster regulatory approvals.
• Awards:
  • The winning team received ₹1 lakh and a potential ₹50 lakh, 1-year contract for the implementation of their idea.
  • The second and third-place teams were awarded ₹7 lakh and ₹3 lakh, respectively.
  • Special recognition was given to all-women teams, who received ₹5 lakh.

About CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation)

• CDSCO serves as India’s National Regulatory Body for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
• Primary Function: Its key responsibility is to ensure the safety, efficacy, and quality of drugs available in the market.
• Legal Basis: Established under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
• Administrative Control: It operates under the Director General of Health Services, within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• Headquarters: Located in New Delhi.
• Key Responsibilities: These include ensuring drug safety, approval of new drugs, regulation of clinical trials, setting drug standards, monitoring the quality of imported medicines, and collaborating with state drug regulators across India.

UPSC Focus:

• GS Paper III: AI in governance and healthcare

INS Taragiri

INS Taragiri, a Stealth Frigate constructed under Project 17A, was recently commissioned in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant enhancement to India’s naval capabilities.

Key Features and Significance

• Type: INS Taragiri is the fourth Nilgiri-class stealth frigate to be inducted into the Indian Navy.
• Construction: It was meticulously built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).
• Design: The frigate’s advanced design was conceived by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy.
• Legacy: The name represents a reincarnation of a previous INS Taragiri, continuing a proud naval tradition.
• Combat Capabilities: It is a highly versatile vessel, capable of engaging in air, surface, and sub-surface warfare.
• Indigenous Content: Approximately 75% of its components are domestically sourced, aligning strongly with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) initiative in defense production.
• Armament: The frigate is equipped with advanced weapon systems, including BrahMos missiles, Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles, and Barak systems, which greatly enhance its combat capability.
• Propulsion: It utilizes a sophisticated Combined Diesel and Gas (COGAG) system for its propulsion.
• Speed: INS Taragiri can achieve a maximum speed of up to 30 knots (approximately 55 km/hr).
• Air Operations: The vessel is capable of operating helicopters such as the Kamov Ka-31 or MH-60R.
• Stealth Design: Its advanced design incorporates features that result in low radar, acoustic, and heat signatures, enabling long-term deployment without easy detection by adversaries.

Why it matters (UPSC Mains):

• GS Paper III: Defence modernization & Atmanirbhar Bharat

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UPSC Prelims Practice Quiz 

Q1. NCERT has been declared a Deemed University under which Act?
A. RTE Act 2009
B. UGC Act 1956
C. NEP 2020
D. AICTE Act

Answer: B

Q2. The Antriksh Venture Capital Fund belongs to which category of AIF?
A. Category I
B. Category II
C. Category III
D. Hedge Fund

Answer: B

Q3. INS Taragiri is associated with which project?
A. Project 15B
B. Project 75
C. Project 17A
D. Project Arihant

Answer: C

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Q4. Raja Ravi Varma is known for combining Indian themes with:
A. Mughal Miniature Style
B. Persian Art
C. European Realism
D. Abstract Expressionism

Answer: C

Q5. CDSCO operates under which ministry?
A. Ministry of Science & Technology
B. Ministry of Commerce
C. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
D. Ministry of Chemicals

Answer: C

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